2. WHAT IS ALCOHOL?
WHAT IS ALCOHOL?
Alcohol is the MOST ABUSED drug by Soldiers.
*Alcohol is a colorless and pungent liquid that can be
found in beverages such as wine, beer, and liquor.
*Alcohol is a Central Nervous System (CNS) depressant.
*Alcohol is considered to be a gateway drug to other drug
use.
*People who drink alcohol are more prone to divorce and
suicide than the rest of the population.
3. WHAT IS ALCOHOL?
*A standard alcohol drink is considered to be:
▷ One 12-ounce bottle of beer
▷ One 5-ounce glass of wine
▷ 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits.
*Alcohol is also known as:
▷ Booze
▷ Juice
▷ Sauce
▷ Grog
▷ Piss
4. WHAT IS BLOOD ALCOHOL
CONTENT (BAC)?
* Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) - The amount of alcohol
present in a 100 milliliter (ML) volume of blood.
* The BAC is related to the users:
• Body Weight
• Metabolism
• Drinking Speed – Someone that ‘chugs’ their
drink will have a higher BAC than someone
that ‘sips’ the same amount of alcohol.
5. EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL AND BAC
- Gross motor impairment and lack of physical control. Blurred
vision and serious loss of balance. Euphoria is reduced and dysphoria (anxiety,
restlessness) begins to appear.
- Dysphoria predominates, nausea begins to appear. The drinker appears to be a
“sloppy drunk”.
- Needs assistance in walking; total mental confusion. Dysphoria with nausea and
some vomiting.
- Loss of consciousness.
- Coma, and possible death due to respiratory arrest.
6. IMMEDIATE PHYSICAL
EFFECTS
⇒ Slurred Speech ⇒ Staggering
⇒ Slow Reactions ⇒ Nausea/Vomiting
⇒ Irregular Pulse ⇒ Impaired Motor Skills
⇒ Blurred Vision ⇒ Enlarged Heart
⇒ Loss of Inhibitions ⇒ High Blood Pressure
⇒ Dizziness ⇒ Unconsciousness
8. ∗Vitamin Deficiencies ∗ Pregnancy Complications
∗ Skin Problems ∗ Liver Cirrhosis/Cancer
∗ Loss of Muscle Tissue ∗ Heart Disorders
∗ Sexual Impotence ∗ Blood Disorders
∗ Stomach Damage ∗ Lung Disease
∗ Small Intestine Damage ∗ Brain Damage
∗ Loss of Feeling in
∗ Death
Hands/Feet
9. • When a alcohol dependent person stops consuming alcohol
they may experience withdrawal symptoms:
Auditory Hallucinations
Paranoid Behavior
Body Trembles, “The Shakes”, this can occur as early as 12
hours after the last drink.
• The alcohol dependent person may also show minor signs of
withdrawal:
Agitation
Profuse Sweating
Nausea/Vomiting
Incoherent Speech
10. • The addicted individual can also suffer extremely serious,
and sometimes fatal, side effects of alcohol withdrawal:
• Delirium Tremens (DTs) - A disorder involving sudden and
severe mental changes (psychosis) or neurologic changes
(including seizures) caused by stopping the use of alcohol.
• Alcoholic Psychoses, when the addicted person is scared
of imaginary small animals, and horrible sights and sounds.
11. Percentages Reporting Past Month Alcohol Use, Past Month
"Binge" Alcohol Use, and Past Month Heavy Alcohol Use
Among Persons Aged 18-25, 2006 and 2007
2007 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse
